Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance

I believe that Curlin will win the Classic. Actually, he has to win. Forget the Euro horses just for a moment....and this is a field that the champ should handle without too much of a problem in my opinion....Read More

So we've had 22 days of racing on the new Pro-Ride surface at the Oak Tree Meet at Santa Anita through today and what have we learned. Well for one, it takes a long time to chart the analysis of every synthetic race to see if there are any angles out there. ...Read More

Look, I'm on the fence too. I think Curlin is a horse for the decade. He is a horse whose races will be watched years from now, both wins and losses. HOWEVER, I don't believe he's a lock in the Breeders' Cup Classic, so instead of trying to come up with an excuse I'll just pretend he's not in the race and let reality provide the need or non-need of an excuse....Read More

There are certainly some reasons to criticize the Breeders' Cup Dirt Marathon. You can argue that it is a misnomer; it isn't even really on dirt, and much of the rest of the racing world finds its mile and a half distance rather less than daunting. However, let's give the race a chance to prove itself....Read More

At least the field sizes are fairly manageable on Saturday; just nine go in the Sprint. I'm not proud, I'll take any break I can get. In post position order, with the top contenders all lined up inside ...Read More

Every horseplayer has their favorite types of races. Personally, I'm a turf buff and, if you give me a juvenile maiden special weight, I'm in heaven. So, while some dread handicapping the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, I'll dive right in. ...Read More

The F&M Sprint is the first BC race, and I hate to say it, but it's the one I'm looking forward to the most. This will be the most competitive race, and the proof I use to claim this? The horses entered are in the money 77% of the time. ...Read More

I know that trying to change something in racing is like trying to stop the tides. But if I could, there is one regulation I would like to see the industry impose upon itself: No horse can stand until he is a five-year old. I think this would have a positive ripple effect throughout the industry and here's how. ...Read More

The Tour would be stopping at Lone Star Park and I just had to be part of the hysteria! Just think, Pat Day, Angel Cordero, Jr., and Laffit Pincay, Jr., would be there to sign autographs, answer questions, high five fans, and trash hotel rooms all for the glory of the upcoming Breeders' Cup. Hey, maybe there'd be a mosh pit!...Read More

With the uproar over Big Brown's retirement, the confirmation that Curlin will be defending his title and the news that both Henrythenavigator and Duke of Marmalade will be contesting the Breeders' Cup Classic, one strong contender has been overlooked: Raven's Pass....Read More

In a previous entry, this blog provided details about the heel bulb injury that predicated the disappointing retirement of champion three-year-old Thoroughbred Big Brown. This post will give some background into the type of injury for those unfamiliar with foot anatomy and injury....Read More

This Saturday is New York Showcase Day at Belmont; seven New York-bred stakes races will be run for more than a million dollar in purses, and a variety of family-friendly activities are planned, including hay rides, face painting, and pumpkin carving. ...Read More

After coming into it's partnership with the Breeders' Cup starting in 2006 the Disney owned ESPN/ESPN/ABC Channels promised us the world in it's coverage and promotion of the event including coverage leading up to the Breeders' Cup. Now entering its 3rd year of coverage on the Cable network, I feel like an underfed kid at the dinner table, fed some leftovers instead of the 5 course meal I was promised....Read More

As a rule, I never get lost. If I did, which is patently absurd given the aforementioned rule, I certainly would never stop and ask for directions; some might characterize my behavior in such situations as willfully obtuse. They are obviously out of touch with reality....Read More

As a fan, call me underwhelmed. The Breeders' Cup returns to Churchill Downs in 2010, and, once again, horse racing has missed the boat in terms of updating what has become, unfortunately, "the' defining event of America's thoroughbred industry....Read More

Racing faces the daunting task of marketing an identical product to two disparate audiences: the gambler and the fan. Racing can't exist without the former, and it shouldn't exist without the latter....Read More

I play the lotto not because it is the worst odds imaginable, not because I don't realize it's a "stupid" tax, but it allows me to write these dreams out like I really have a chance. TVG is up for sale, and the NTRA has always been a fan of the channel. So why not buy it outright, and do something good with it. My suggestion: Fix racing with it. ...Read More

I like Ladies' Day. I've been asking for Ladies' Day for quite some time, and I'm not the only one, but now that it's here seems like many are against it. And, no one is saying they like it anymore. It seems like we've driven off by terms like "sexist" and who can blame us. Well, I'm not going down without a fight. ...Read More

Every sport has image problems. The NBA had the Jailblazers, the NFL still has the Bengals, MLB battles drugs, and the NHL is well, if you've heard of it, it's the hockey league. Many in our industry point to the NHL as another sport going through rough times. Like horse racing, paper coverage is dwindling, it gets low ratings, and its season is said to be too long. It's horse racing but on Ice! Well, no not exactly. ...Read More

I believe the most pressing issue in the sport is the ADW issue. And yet when someone talks about it I wonder if it would hurt that bad if I stuck a fork in my ear and twisted. Talks are again being, well talked, and not much is coming from them accept acrimony. Shock I know....Read More

Whether I was listed as being there or not (Esther what did I say for you to forget me?) , I was in fact at the NTRA annual marketing meeting. A group of fans put together what we believe to be an easy first step in helping our sport become viable in today's "connected" world. I've spent the last week writing about my experiences, and mostly gushing over how great it was. It's been said I'm now in the NTRA pocket, and I can't disagree too much. ...Read More

My name is Patrick, but I'm regularly known by my blog name, Handride. I am part of a group of Bloggers, the TBA, that formed around 3 years ago to help themselves generate readers, and to help gain more fans amongst casual watchers. In the three years since we've climbed to over 40 blogs from Japan to New York and all places in between....Read More